Canada

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.   UP Bledisloe Cup After months of waiting, international rugby returned with a bang on Sunday. Fans were treated to an absorbing spectacle …

The Toronto Arrows have produced a streamlined chart of their pathway to professional rugby for Canadian players. Included in the chart are routes through both provincial and international rugby, with the pathway starting at junior age-grade and high school level. Two academy systems are incorporated as direct gateways to the …

Biarritz Olympique are now in sole possession of 1st place on the Pro D2 table. Evan Olmstead played a significant role as the forwards dominated Carcassonne en route to a 37-10 victory at Parc d’Aguiléra on Sunday. With 18 points Biarritz move one ahead of Perpignan, Vannes, and Oyonnax, though …

Two more teams have been confirmed for the upcoming World Tens Series being hosted in Bermuda later this month. Phoenix hails from the Middle East, while the Rhinos are a new team representing Southern California. It brings the total to seven teams confirmed with one still to be revealed. As …

England’s top women’s division – the Premier 15s – is set to kick off this weekend. The semi-professional competition will feature a number of North American players this season, with an impressive six names in Exeter’s lineup to face Gloucester-Hartpury. New Canadian arrivals Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt, and Taylor Black …

Old Glory DC have announced the signing of Danny Thomas for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He celebrates his 26th birthday later this month and joins from Belmont Shore of the Pacific Rugby Premiership, equally comfortable at both scrumhalf and flyhalf. Thomas is originally from Farnham Common, England, but …

Canadian flanker Sara Svoboda has signed for Loughborough Lightning. She follows international teammates DaLeaka Menin and Courtney Holtkamp to the Premier 15s club in England. Svoboda was a standout at the McMaster Marauders, lifting the Monilex Trophy as national university champions in 2015. She played her domestic club rugby for …

The New England Free Jacks have confirmed the signature of first round draft pick Justin Johnson for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He follows second rounder Spencer Krueger in committing to a professional deal with the club. Johnson was selected 6th overall in June’s inaugural MLR Collegiate Draft. The …

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed the signing of three further Canadian internationals for the Premier 15s season. Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt, and Taylor Black will join Olivia DeMerchant with the quartet following US Eagles trio Kate Zackary, Gabby Cantorna, and Jennine Duncan to the English club. Tuttosi hails from Manitoba but …

Players from five Major League Rugby teams are set to take part in Super Rugby Unlocked, South Africa’s version of the domestic-only competitions recently run by New Zealand and Australia. The tournament will feature seven teams, with the Cheetahs, Pumas, and Griquas to join the ‘big four’. An 8th team …